Your home should be your happy place, and if it’s not, it’s time to get to work! We’ve heard all the excuses for why your house isn’t your dream home: “I don’t have time”, “I don’t know where to start”, and the most common complaint, “home improvements are too expensive”. No more excuses! This article will help you boost the style and functionality of your home without breaking the bank or breaking your back. We have put together a list of 5 easy home improvements that offer a big impact without requiring a ton of time, money, or expertise. It’s the background of your life and creating a living space you love will help you become the best version of yourself in 2025 and beyond.
1) Update Light Fixtures & Hardware
When it comes to home improvement on a budget, it’s all about the details. Whether they’re outdated, boring, or just plain ugly, bad hardware and light fixtures are two little things that can negatively impact the look of your home in a big way. Beautiful hardware can take your kitchen from generic and bland, to chic and refreshed. Same goes for your bathrooms! Updating light fixtures can brighten up your home both figuratively and literally. From modern chandeliers to farmhouse lanterns and eclectic sconces, finding the right light fixtures will help you create a cohesive look throughout your home.
2) The Power of Paint
A new paint color can completely transform a room. Painting is a relatively affordable home improvement project that you can do yourself! If you have a dark and gloomy room that lacks light, a lighter paint color or even a bright color like yellow can make it feel vibrant and lively. If your room simply feels boring, add a little flare with an accent wall. A pop of color goes a long way. If you want to take on a slightly more tedious painting project, painting your cabinets can give an outdated bathroom or kitchen a fresh, modern look.
3) New Furniture, New Room: Invest in the Right Pieces
Furniture is what controls the vibe of your home. Your furniture should reflect your style and lifestyle. Many homeowners make the mistake of buying cheap trendy furniture that they dislike in a year or two (if it holds up that long). High quality furniture is a worthwhile investment because it lasts a lifetime. If you want furniture that will instantly elevate your space, look for these features.
- Quality Materials: Steer clear of inferior furniture materials such as plastic, particleboard, veneer, and cheap fabrics. High quality furniture is made from high quality materials including solid wood, real leather, and performance fabrics. These materials are durable and have a recognizable luxury look and feel.
- Timeless Styles: Quality furniture is an investment, so you want to choose pieces that you will love now and years down the road. Look for furniture that you truly love, not just what’s trendy right now. Timeless furniture designs are the key to preventing your home from looking outdated.
- Functionality: Furniture shouldn’t just look pretty; it should be functional! Think about your lifestyle and make smart choices. Do you have messy kids and pets? Stain resistant fabrics and durable leather sofas are great options. Do you love to entertain? A nice bar, wine cabinet, barstools, buffet/server, pub table, and plenty of seating are all examples of furniture that can make your house the ultimate party pad. Think about your practical needs and choose furniture accordingly.
- Craftsmanship: All furniture is not made the same. Mass produced furniture is significantly less durable than handmade furniture. For example, Amish furniture is some of the most durable furniture on the market because of their unique joinery techniques developed over generations and attention to detail.
Custom Furniture
Custom furniture is a great way to maximize your space, create something that is uniquely yours, and bring character to a room. A custom wall-to-wall bookshelf full of your favorite books and things can make a boring office or sunroom feel like a cozy personalized library. A custom dining table fits just right, can be extended with leaves to fit the whole family for the holidays, and turns the place you eat into a beautiful place to dine. For your living room, a custom entertainment center or custom couch or sectional can make it the ultimate hang out spot. Design, material, color, dimensions—everything is up to you when it comes to designing custom furniture, and the options are endless.
4) Get Organized
Getting organized can change the way you feel and live in your home. Many new year’s resolutions are health related—losing weight, exercising more, eating a more balanced diet. What about your mental health? Did you know there is a scientifically proven relationship between a clean house and mental health?
Mental health benefits of organization:
- Reduced Stress
- Better Concentration
- Better Sleep Quality
Decluttering your Home
The first step to getting organized is getting rid of things you don’t need. Decluttering doesn’t have to be a daunting task and doesn’t have to be done in a day. Tackle the clutter one drawer, closet, and room at a time, decide what to keep, donate, and trash, and feel the weight of clutter lift off your shoulders. If you’re having trouble deciding what to keep and toss, ask yourself these questions.
Helpful decluttering questions:
- Have I used this in the past year?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Is this item useful?
- Do I have multiples of this item?
A Place for Everything & Everything in its Place
Having a place for everything is the key to staying organized long-term. This might require you to invest in storage solutions such as containers and furniture pieces. Foyers and entryways are a common problem area, especially for people with children. Entryway furniture such as cubbies, hall seats, hall trees, coat racks, and shoe racks can help keep the “drop zone” organized. Bookshelves and hutches are a great option for storing and displaying items in an orderly fashion. Shelves with baskets, toy boxes, and storage chests are great for items you need to access easily but don’t want to clutter up the place such as toys and blankets. Lastly, if your kitchen or bathroom lacks adequate storage, adding cabinets, shelving, or even an island or vanity will help you keep your countertops clear.
5) Add Landscaping and House Plants
Indoor plants add life, color, and character to your home. Plus, houseplants naturally improve air quality. There are so many ways to incorporate plant life in your home—a houseplant in an empty corner, a fresh flower arrangement on the table, a series of succulents in the windowsill. Fun pots and vases add a little extra flare. You don’t have to have a green thumb, there are plenty of house plants that are easy to care for. Good landscaping enhances curb appeal and makes your home more welcoming. You don’t have to do anything crazy. Simply trimming your bushes, mowing the grass, and getting rid of dead branches will make your house look well kept. If you want to do something extra, try planting flowers, adding window boxes, or putting potted plants on your porch.
Find or Design the Furniture of your Dreams at Amish Elegance
Find high-quality, handcrafted furniture to transform your home at Amish Elegance! We have an impressive selection of bedroom furniture, living room furniture, dining furniture, outdoor furniture, office furniture, and more. We also specialize in custom furniture. Our interior design and furniture experts can guide you and discuss the wide range of styles and features available to bring your vision to life. We work with talented Amish furniture makers who build custom furniture from scratch using only the highest quality materials—American hardwoods, premium leather, and performance fabrics. They build furniture that lasts a lifetime.
Contact us to discuss a project, visit our showroom to browse our furniture inventory or start designing custom furniture today!